Lee Jae-myung, Ki Dong-min, and Lee Soo-jin All Subject to Article 80-3
All 69 Written and On-site Attending Party Committee Members Approve
The Democratic Party of Korea on the 22nd reached a unanimous decision not to apply Article 80 of the party constitution to Representative Lee Jae-myung and lawmakers Ki Dong-min and Lee Soo-jin. The charges against the three were deemed political oppression.
Kim Eui-gyeom, the Democratic Party spokesperson, said after the party affairs committee meeting held at the National Assembly, "It was resolved that 'according to Article 80, Paragraph 3 of the party constitution, it is recognized that there are unjust reasons such as political oppression regarding the three individuals, Representative Lee, Rep. Ki, and Rep. Lee.'" He added, "Accordingly, the committee decided not to apply Article 80, Paragraph 1, which stipulates that duties can be suspended immediately upon indictment and an investigation by the Ethics Tribunal can be requested."
The Democratic Party's Article 80, Paragraph 1, provides that party officials at all levels who are indicted for legal violations related to corruption such as bribery and illegal political funds shall have their duties suspended immediately upon indictment and an investigation by the Ethics Tribunal at each level can be requested. However, since the party convention last August, an exception clause has been included stating that "if it is recognized that there are unjust reasons such as political oppression, a different decision can be made through a resolution of the party affairs committee."
Earlier, Representative Lee was indicted without detention in connection with the 'Wirye and Daejang-dong development corruption' and 'Seongnam FC illegal sponsorship' cases. Upon learning of Lee's indictment, the Democratic Party immediately held an emergency Supreme Council meeting and convened the party affairs committee.
Despite the indictment, Representative Lee was allowed to continue performing his duties as party leader due to reasons such as 'political oppression.'
Similarly, Representatives Ki and Lee also received the same treatment regarding the prosecution, allowing them to continue performing their party duties without issue.
It is reported that no one raised objections to defining the indictments of Representative Lee and others as 'political oppression' during the party affairs committee meeting.
Rep. Kim said, "Thirty-nine members submitted written votes to the party affairs committee, and 30 attended in person," adding, "All 69 members agreed to apply the exception."
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